The prospect of Nuno Espirito Santo leaving West Ham for a return to Nottingham Forest may now be firmly in play following a significant boardroom development – just as Stan Collymore predicted.
With pressure continuing to build behind the scenes at West Ham and Nottingham Forest, the latest twist will inevitably fuel speculation about whether Nuno Espirito Santo could replace Sean Dyche after leaving the City Ground at the end of September.
The Hammers face the Tricky Trees in a true Premier League six-pointer at the London Stadium on Tuesday night.
If Forest go there and win, it may well be curtains for West Ham’s survival hopes – and Nuno’s future.
There has been speculation that West Ham could sack Nuno after a nine-game winless run culminated in the club’s worst defeat for 19 years as they lost 3-0 to Wolves.
Nuno and Dyche clinging on ahead of West Ham vs Forest six-pointer
Dyche has come under pressure too as Forest have slipped back into the relegation mix following four straight defeats.
With Leeds pulling away, it looks set to be a straight fight between Nottingham Forest and West Ham to avoid joining Burnley and Wolves in the Championship next season.
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Desperate times call for desperate measures and speculation has suggested both David Sullivan and Evangelos Marikankis could consider one last roll of the dice on a managerial change to keep their club on the Premier League gravy train.
West Ham are four points off Forest ahead of the game between the two clubs.
If Forest stretch that lead to seven points then it starts to look very difficult to see the Hammers surviving.
On the flip side, a win for the Irons breathes new life and hope into their bid to stay up.
After West Ham’s diabolical defeat to Wolves, the weekend former Nottingham Forest star Stan Collymore made a bold statement.
The ex striker stated that West Ham will sack Nuno, Forest will sack Dyche and that Nuno will go back to Forest.
The Portuguese was sacked by Marinakis after a 3-0 defeat to West Ham earlier this season.
But the real reason behind his axing after a monumental campaign the season before, was because the pair had fallen out over the appointment of Edu Gaspar to head up recruitment.
Prior to that Nuno and his super-agent Jorge Mendes had a big – and often final – say on all transfers.
Nuno Forest return could be on after boardroom development
That power was taken away when Edu arrived at the City Ground and when Nuno spoke out about transfers, the writing was on the wall for his future.
But now, ahead of the meeting between the two clubs, there has been a big twist that could make Collymore’s prediction seem less fanciful.
What do you want to see Nuno do differently against Nottingham Forest? 🤔
And is this a make or break game for the Hammers?
Because Nuno leaving West Ham for a return to Nottingham Forest could be on after a major boardroom development.
Just over three months since his sacking by Forest over the disagreement with Edu, the path could be cleared for Nuno to return.
The Hammers board has insisted they are behind Nuno.
But the owners made similar statements before sacking both Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
With a dark cloud very much hanging over his West Ham future and no compensation due if he is sacked, Nuno could also jump before he is pushed if the Hammers look like a lost cause.
Especially as Edu is reportedly on the verge of being sacked by Forest owner Marinakis after just six months at the club.
According to the likes of The Daily Mail, the Brazilian – who was lured from Arsenal – is clinging on to his job as Nottingham Forest’s head of global football following a string of unsuccessful signings.
Edu facing Forest sack to pave way for Nuno return
The report claims Marinakis is furious with some of the deals done by Edu, including Douglas Luiz and Omari Hutchinson, while Nuno and the recruitment team wanted different players.
Forest are also in the process of shipping out forward Arnaud Kalimuendo on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt, less than five months after Edu did a £26m deal with Rennes to sign him.
Nuno has talked fondly of his time at Forest ahead of the reunion.
But that reunion could be a reality soon if both clubs continue to struggle and Nuno, Dyche and Edu pay for it with their jobs.
Stranger things have certainly happened in football.
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